Feeding and Burping Your Baby

Tips For You

• It's recommended that babies be fed on demand whenever they seem hungry
• Your baby may give you clue by:
• crying
• putting fingers in his or her mouth
• or making sucking noises
• A newborn baby may need to be fed as often as every 2 hours or perhaps more frequently
• Some newborns may need to be awakened every few hours to make sure they get enough to eat
• Call your baby's doctor if:
• you need to awaken your newborn frequently
  
• your baby doesn't seem interested in eating or sucking
• Babies often swallow air during feedings, which can make them fussy.You can prevent this by burping your baby frequently

If you're breastfeeding:

• give your baby the chance to nurse about 10-15 minutes at each breast
• your baby is probably eating enough if he /she seems:
• satisfied
• produces about six wet diapers and several stools a day
• sleeps well
• and is gaining weight regularly
• Burp your baby each time he or she switches breasts

If you're formula-feeding:

• Your baby will most likely take about 2-3 ounces (60-90 milliliters) at each feeding
• You can more easily monitor if your baby is getting enough to eat
• Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your child's growth or feeding schedule
• Burp your baby every 2-3 ounces (60-90 milliliters)

Burping strategies:

1. Hold your baby upright with his or her head on your shoulder.Support your baby's head and back while gently patting the back with your other hand
2. Sit your baby on your lap.Support your baby's chest and head with one hand and gently rub his or her back with the other hand
   
3. Lay your baby face-down on your lap.Support your baby's head in the crook of your arm and gently pat or rub his or her back
4. If your baby hasn't burped after several minutes, finish the feeding you've started
5. Afterward, burp your baby again and keep him or her in an upright position for 10-15 minutes to avoid spitting up